Big gun returns to fort after nearly a century (From Western Telegraph)

Big gun returns to fort after nearly a century

A MASSIVE 18-ton 19th century gun is back in its place at Chapel Bay Fort, Angle, after a gap of nearly a century.

The ten-inch calibre RML (rifled muzzle loading) gun was one of three installed in the fort when it was built in 1891. And, after becoming obsolete in 1901, it was eventually disposed of by being tipped over the cliff.

After an unsuccessful attempt to salvage it for scrap, the 17/21st Lancers recovered it in June 1991 at the instigation of Lieutenant Colonel J. E. R. Bulkeley, and it was taken to the car park at West Angle Bay.

A volunteer group set up in 1992 under the chairmanship of Mr John Allen-Mirehouse, began work on restoring the fort to open it to the public.

A carriage similar to the original was fabricated on site by volunteer Paul Saloman, of Billcar Engineering, of Shrewsbury, and generous help from Texaco culminated in the restoration of the gun and its return in February to Chapel Bay Fort by means of an 80-ton crane.